Open burning will be banned in the region effective noon Wednesday to help reduce the risk of wildfires.

Campfires that are no taller or wider than a half-metre will still be permitted, as will cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.

The order was issued by the B.C. Wildfire Service and applies to the entire Kamloops Fire Centre, including private and public land.

“Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail,” the B.C. Wildfire Service said in a press release.

“If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.”

As of Sunday, 57 fires had burned 993 hectares so for this season within the Kamloops Fire Centre.

During the 2018 season, a total of 429 fires scorched 55,062 hectares in the centre.

Online Poll

The six members of Kelowna city council are paid $18,540 annually to serve on the board - on top of their salary of $36,500. Since June 1, the board has met five times and four of the five meetings lasted 37 minutes or less. September's meeting was cancelled.